Racial Inequities in the Federal Buyout of Flood-Prone Homes: A Nationwide Assessment of Environmental Adaptation

One way the U.S. government is responding to the challenges of climate change is by funding the purchase of tens of thousands of flood-prone homes in more than 500 cities and towns across the country. This study provides a nationwide analysis of that program, extending beyond cost-benefit calculatio...

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Main Authors: James R. Elliott, Phylicia Lee Brown, Kevin Loughran
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2020-02-01
Series:Socius
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/2378023120905439
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author James R. Elliott
Phylicia Lee Brown
Kevin Loughran
author_facet James R. Elliott
Phylicia Lee Brown
Kevin Loughran
author_sort James R. Elliott
collection DOAJ
description One way the U.S. government is responding to the challenges of climate change is by funding the purchase of tens of thousands of flood-prone homes in more than 500 cities and towns across the country. This study provides a nationwide analysis of that program, extending beyond cost-benefit calculations to investigate racial inequities at different scales of local implementation, from county-level adoption, through neighborhood-level participation, to homeowner approval. Statistical analyses indicate that net of local flood damage, population, and incomes, the program disproportionately targets whiter counties and neighborhoods, especially in more urbanized areas where the program now concentrates. Yet it is neighborhoods of color in these areas that have been historically more likely to accept buyouts in greater numbers. The exception is the New York and New Jersey area after Hurricane Sandy. Implications for understanding how racial privilege works through government programs aimed at encouraging environmental adaptation are discussed.
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spelling doaj.art-b2ae6cf93c544702ba18ac8b72dddaf52022-12-21T22:25:58ZengSAGE PublishingSocius2378-02312020-02-01610.1177/2378023120905439Racial Inequities in the Federal Buyout of Flood-Prone Homes: A Nationwide Assessment of Environmental AdaptationJames R. Elliott0Phylicia Lee Brown1Kevin Loughran2Rice University, Houston, TX, USARice University, Houston, TX, USARice University, Houston, TX, USAOne way the U.S. government is responding to the challenges of climate change is by funding the purchase of tens of thousands of flood-prone homes in more than 500 cities and towns across the country. This study provides a nationwide analysis of that program, extending beyond cost-benefit calculations to investigate racial inequities at different scales of local implementation, from county-level adoption, through neighborhood-level participation, to homeowner approval. Statistical analyses indicate that net of local flood damage, population, and incomes, the program disproportionately targets whiter counties and neighborhoods, especially in more urbanized areas where the program now concentrates. Yet it is neighborhoods of color in these areas that have been historically more likely to accept buyouts in greater numbers. The exception is the New York and New Jersey area after Hurricane Sandy. Implications for understanding how racial privilege works through government programs aimed at encouraging environmental adaptation are discussed.https://doi.org/10.1177/2378023120905439
spellingShingle James R. Elliott
Phylicia Lee Brown
Kevin Loughran
Racial Inequities in the Federal Buyout of Flood-Prone Homes: A Nationwide Assessment of Environmental Adaptation
Socius
title Racial Inequities in the Federal Buyout of Flood-Prone Homes: A Nationwide Assessment of Environmental Adaptation
title_full Racial Inequities in the Federal Buyout of Flood-Prone Homes: A Nationwide Assessment of Environmental Adaptation
title_fullStr Racial Inequities in the Federal Buyout of Flood-Prone Homes: A Nationwide Assessment of Environmental Adaptation
title_full_unstemmed Racial Inequities in the Federal Buyout of Flood-Prone Homes: A Nationwide Assessment of Environmental Adaptation
title_short Racial Inequities in the Federal Buyout of Flood-Prone Homes: A Nationwide Assessment of Environmental Adaptation
title_sort racial inequities in the federal buyout of flood prone homes a nationwide assessment of environmental adaptation
url https://doi.org/10.1177/2378023120905439
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